St. Johann Nepomuk, better known as the Asam Church (b. 1746 by and for the Asam brothers), is one of the most fantastic Baroque churches I've ever had the pleasure to step in ⛪. It's tucked away in downtown Munich, and has some incredible murals, sculptures, and a unique theme: it's divided into 3 sections vertically, with lowest being darkest to represent humanity's suffering, the upstairs white and blue for the emperor, and the ceiling illuminated and glorious to symbolize God and eternity. It's considered one of the most important sites of German Late Baroque architecture - if you have a chance, go see it! 🌍 -- HERPES: ➡️ Herpesviruses are one of the oldest known mammalian pathogens. Phylogenomic analyses revealed that herpesviruses evolved around 200 million years ago, when dinosaurs and reptiles were much more abundant than mammals. As humans evolved much later (~2 million years ago), the number of herpesviruses that infect humans is only a tiny portion of all herpesviruses: of 100+ herpesviruses, only 8 regularly infect humans.
Since herpesviruses literally pre-date humans, they are master manipulators of our immune systems. Currently no vaccine exists to combat herpesvirus infection, and the majority of the world's population is permanently infected with these viruses (>90% for human cytomegalovirus, or HCMV!). While we often just associate them with sexually transmitted disease (caused by HSV-1 and HSV-2), herpes cause many other diseases: birth defects (HCMV), skin blotches or tumors (Karposi's Sarcoma Virus, KSHV), and even the disease known as "mono" (Epstein Barr Virus, EBV). They are critical pathogens to study!
And that is what I currently work on: the replication cycle and pathogenesis of HCMV 👩🏼‍🔬. DM me if you want to know more about the good ol' herp. . . .
#travelgram#munich#asamchurch#scicomm#churchesofinstagram#ig_europa#germanytourism#germany#pixel_ig#kings_hdr#kings_doorsandco#kings_through#womeninscience#ig_deutschland#deutschland#architecturephotography

Building an empire // I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the road less traveled and, more specifically, the like-minded women I have been fortunate enough to connect with since I took the leap into full-time entrepreneurship back in 2015. The women who are hustling and making sacrifices to build something they believe in from the ground up.
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Within the writing community, the coaching community, and the travel community — I’ve bonded with so many of you over the struggles and the successes, and the many late nights/early mornings required to build our visions. It’s so vital to have people who simply “get it.” I am forever grateful for your support, generosity, and friendship.
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Special thanks to my college friend @northandleisure for pointing out that it’s #womensentrepreneurshipday If you’re not already, follow her for practical travel tips and custom itineraries for Ireland, Scotland, and Atlantic Canada! Not only is she extremely thorough with her work but she’s so down-to-earth too!
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#germanytourism#ig_europa#map_of_europe#culturetrip#topeuropephoto